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(No Moarel.)

M'. M. ORMSBY.

INVENTGR 772. 7%, @M

ATTORNEYS.

FIRE ESCAPE. f

`Patented Aug. 21, 1883,

N. PETERS. mum-mmm, washinnun. D. l;

UNITED STATES A PATENT.. OFFICE.

MADISON M. ORMSBY, OF ,DAVID CITY, NEBRASKA.

FIRE-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,650, dated August 21, 1883.

To all whom it may concern.-

wBe it known that I, MADISON M. ORMsBY, of David City, in the county of Butler and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and Improved Fire-Escape, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to that class of fireescapes in which a series of ladders adapted to swing and rest against "the building are o held on a vertical frame.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings,`forming a part of this specification I in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts vin both the figures.

f Figure l is a longitudinal sectional elevation of the improved lire-escape. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation ofthe same.

Two strong and high standards, A A, are scoured on. a strong and heavy base, B, and

o are suitably braced by braces D D, connected by crossbars D', and are also braced by wires or cables E, attached to a platform, F, formed on the top pof the standards, and to the base B, at the end opposite the one at which the stand- 5 ards A are fastened. Between the standards A A two frames, G G, are held to slide vertically, which frames are provided with projecting platforms G G', suitably braced from the frames G. v

3o The platform F and the vertically`adjustable platforms G' G are provided with suitable railings to protect the people from falling off. Gables or ropes H are secured to the top platform, F, which 'pass through a pulley, l, on 5 the platformsV G', pass through pulleys J on the bottom of platform F, pass down between the standards A to a pulley, K, on the base B, then pass up through a pulley, K, at the other end of the base B, and are attached to windi o lasses L, suitably j onrnaled and provided with crank-handles, by means of which windlasses the platforms G G' can be raised, as may be desired.

At the outer end of each of the platforms F f and G G a horizontal transverse rod M is 4D 7 7 Application tiled March Q0, 1833. (No model.)

plat-forms G G', near the upper end of the said ladders, are passed through pulleys l? on the platform G', and then have the other end attached to the ladders, near the lower parts of the same, by means of which ropes the lad-A dersN can be held at the desired inclination,

the upper end of the ladder projecting beyond the edge of the platform. The ladder N on the platform F can be braced in a similarr manner, or can be braced by means of the rope O', attached to the ladder, and secured to the railing of the platform.

The ladder N of the platform F contains a sliding extension-ladder, S, which can be raised by means of a rope, Q, attached to the lower end of the extension-ladder, and passing over a pulley, R, on the ladder N, which rope can befastened ona cleat or hook, b, at the side of theladder N after the extension-ladder S has been raised to the desired height.

A prong, T, lproj ects through the bottom of the platform or base B, and is attached to a strong spring, V, secured onthe base B, on

which spring V a platform, i, is provided,

on which vthe 'men stand while turning the `drums of the windlasses, thereby forcing the pin or prong T into the ground and preventing the device from slipping. A vertical ladder, XV, is secured to the cross-pieces of the standards A, which ladder,if desired, may be provided with hand-rails 5 or 'an inclined ladder may be arranged, which also will serve as a brace or stifener for the structure.

The fire-escape maybe provided with wheels for transportation, or it may be placed on a truck with the posts or standards A in a horizontal position, and can easily be erected at the lire, with the` platforms G' facing the burning building. The platforms G' G are raised, the'ladders N are swung upward and hung in position to project from the ends of the platforms, and the extension-ladder S is adjusted to project outward and upward, if necessary, to reach persons in the uppermost parts ofthe building. The persons climb down theV ladders S or N upon the platforms F or G' G', and then can climb down the ladder W; or they can be lowered by lowering the platform G'. Vomenand children, who are too timid to climb down the ladder W, can be lowered with the platform. The ladders N can easily IOO I 2 sasso be moved to either side edge of theplatforms 5. In a fire-escape, the combination, with a 3o F or G', so that the upper end of the platform can be drawn to any Window.-

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. The combination, with the frame having the top platform, F, and base B, ofthe braces D D, cross-bars D', and Wire cables E, all connected and arranged as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the frame A B, of the platform F, having pulleys J, the vertically-sliding frames G, having platforms G', the pulleys I on said platforms, the base B, havingy pulleys K K', and the Windlass L, asr and for the purpose specified.

8. The combination, with the platforms F G', having the transverse rods M and pulleys d?, of the ladders N, having eyes a a, and the at both ends to the ladders, whereby the ladropes o, passing over pulleys P and fastened ders may be set at any desired incline at each side edge, asdescribed. y

4. In a fire-escape, the base B, having a spring, V, on top and under it, a prong, t, passing through said base,whereby said escape is automatically prevented from slipping by f the Weight of the persons Who are managing' the escape, as described.

vertical structure, of platforms sliding Vertically in the same, and of ladders hinged to the outer edges of the said platforms, Which ladders can be moved to either side of the said platforms, substantially as `herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth.

6. In a iire-escape, the combination, with a vertical structure, of a platform erected on the top of the same, platforms adapted to slide vertically in `the said structure, and ladders hinged to the outer edge of lthe platform on the top of the structure, and to the verticallyadjustable platforms, substantially4 as herein shown and described, and for the purpose set forth. 1

7. In a re-escape, the combination, Witha vertical structure, of the ladder W, the vertically-adjustable platform G', the platform F on the top of the structure, and the swinging I ladders N, hinged to the platforms F G', substantially as herein shown anddescribed, and

for the purpose set forth.

MADISON M. ORMSBY.

Nitnesses: I

J. Roer. VILLiAMs, FRED. D. WILLIAMS. 

